Iran's powerful Guardian Council has ordered a disputed vote recount after seven people were left dead in violence during election street protests.

The crackdown followed violent protests in Tehran against the result of the poll, which saw hardline incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad retain power ahead of more moderate candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Websites such as Flickr, Twitter and Facebook remain the last portals for the opposition to spread information.

But for how much longer?

The Revolutionary Guard, the most powerful military force in the country, has threatened all online media sources with a clampdown.

It announced that Iranian websites would have to remove any posts and blogs which would increase tension in the troubled country.

US President Barack Obama has responded by asking Twitter to suspend maintenance work in order to maintain its service in Iran.

A high-ranking official from the US State Department said that they had made it clear to Twitter it was "an important means of communications" in Iran.

The internet has become a crucial source of information for the pro-reform opposition during the current crisis. On Tuesday the government banned foreign journalists from reporting from the streets of Iran.

But up until now Obama has tried to avoid taking sides in the conflict.

Speaking to the TV network 'CNBC' he said: "The difference in actual policies between Ahmadinejad and Moussavi may not be as great as advertised.

"I think it's important to understand that either way we are going to be dealing with a regime in Iran that is hostile to the US. We have long-term interests in not having them with nuclear power.”

Mousavi supporters have taken to the streets in their thousands to protest against Ahmadinejad’s government who they claim manipulated Friday’s election results.

Demonstrations on Monday and Tuesday ended in bloody clashes. At least seven people were killed. The protests in Iran have continued today.